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institutions and tfie welfare, of the patients therein, for their helpful criticism and co-operation. It regret that I record the resignation of Mr. Stewart, Auckland, and Messrs. Park and Gallaway, Dunedin, and cannot let the occasion pass without expressing the Department's appreciation of their excellent work, a labour of love often performed at great personal inconvenience. Fortunately, Mr. Gallaway's business arrangements allowed him more leisure recently, and he has permitted himself to be reappointed. Auckland. —Visited in January, June, July, December. 1919, and May, 1920. The chief difficulty has been a shortage of staff, involving the necessity of making selection from often very indifferent applicants, tlius directly increasing the responsibility of Dr. Beattie, his medical colleagues, and the senior nurses and attendants —conditions winch bring out the good qualities of the best, but expose the inefficient, and dishearten a few who under other circumstances may have proved moderately good. The staff's new mess-rooms are as good as alteration of the old building will permit, and with the present higher pay and many privileges enjoyed it is hoped there will be a return to the relative number and quality of the staff of some years ago. I have stated in previous reports that if not possible to revert to local control, at least the probationary period should be extended, because the nature ol our work and its responsibilities in dealing with the irresponsible arc not comparable with any other branch oi the Public Service. Doubtless, the unrest is in some measure a reflection of the general unrest, requiring on all sides adaptation during the transitional period. I have reverted to this subject in this connection because the situation is more acute here than elsewhere, and also to give a meed of praise for the care exercised over the patients under trying circumstances. Very little in the way of works and buifdings has been accomplished beyond the usual maintenance and some urgent matters ; but a start has been made with an extensive addition to the Park House, which, when completed, while increasing the accommodation, will be, a decided advance in classification. iSunnyside. -Visited in January, February, May, July, September, December, 1919, and January, February, March, June, 1920. I found things satisfactory save in the matter of urgently needed extension to day- and dining-room accommodation for Wards Nos. 2 and 4, and I was glad to see that a start has been made. The new Beception and Hospital Block now in occupation is most suitable for its purpose and a notable addition to our resources, it is reached from Martin's Boad, and, while separated from the main institution, gains many advantages from its proximity, not the least being the ease with which frequent medical and administrative visits can be paid. Many patients paid spontaneous tributes to the comfort of their surroundings and the consideration shown to them. 'There has been a further extension of the employment of electricity lor power and cooking. Urgent repairs have been carried out, but now that the new buildings are a going concern the old building will need to be systematically overhauled. Delay in carrying out alterations is responsible for the Hornby institution not being opened lor occupation yet. Once, the needed alterations and additions are completed, the place, will adapt itself wonderfully well for the particular class of patients lor which it was purchased. An additional 3 acres of land fronting Martin's Boad has been purchased, and the cottage on it has been added to and altered as a residence for the Chief Clerk. The farm continues to be managed efficiently, and I recommend that the leased portion be purchased. The response to improvement and the returns from the supplementary farm at Templeton has more than justified that purchase. This has been another successful year in providing beef and mutton of the best quality, and in other respects also the patients' diet is exceptionally good. tieactiff. —Visited February, July, December, 1919, and January, March, 1920. A number of moderate to minor works have been carried through with our own labour, and at present an additional unit lor women is being erected at Waitati. The building oi a central bathroom at the front was postponed for the usual reasons governing building in these days. The alternative scheme, of adapting the kitchen, bakehouse, and offices for a central bathroom and additional stores accommodation, after building a new and. up-to-date kitchen, <fee, near the boiler-house, is much tin; better, but will be more costly and will take longer to accomplish. In our old buildings the centrally placed, indifferently ventilated kitchens incapable of extension for increasing numbers are, a decided handicap at present, and the plan to improve this state of affairs, while providing a centrally placed bathroom similar to that at Sunnyside, is attractive. The care of the patients, consideration for their comfort, and the granting of as large a measure, of liberty compatible with their mental condition has been carried out in the usual satisfactory way The report of a Commission set up to investigate the complaints of a returncd-soldier patient not only showed these to be groundless, but is a testimonial of the individual care bestowed and consideration shown to patients by the administrative medical and nursing staff. liokitika. —Visited February, June, 1919, and June, 1920. A house planned for a Medical Superintendent could not be proceeded with. I was unable to lease a suitable residence near the institution, so, in the meantime, the old arrangement of a lay Superintendent and visiting medical officer has been continued, it is hoped that we shall soon be in a position to place this institution on the same footing as Nelson. In saying this, one must give credit to Mr. Seilars for the knowledge and energy he brings to bear in. all departments of his work, rendering the change over to the, medical-control system less urgent than it would otherwise have been, and thank him for placing an extension of these services at the disposal of the Department, pending accommodation being provided in the near future for a Medical Superintendent. Nelson. —Visited June, .1919. The weekly reports from here are uneventful, and indicate that this little institution is unostentatiously fulfilling its object. Dr. Mclviilop, after acting for Dr. Jeffreys, who was acting at Seacliff, is now Medical Superintendent. The new Beception Block is proceeding slowly, and some renovations have been carried out at the old building, giving it a new lease ol life. D>\ Mclviilop has been in close touch with, the Head Office. Porirua. —Visited frequently. The principal work here has been the completion of the drainage system, whereby the septic-tank effluents are carried into the harbour.